Punjab rolls out draft banking guidelines for green-energy open access consumers

Punjab rolls out draft banking guidelines for green-energy open access consumers

November 18, 2025

The Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. has issued a draft procedure under the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations to govern the banking of renewable energy for green energy open access consumers.

This draft is applicable to all GEOA consumers connected to Punjab’s intra-state transmission or distribution system, including captive users with renewable energy plants, and has also clarified that banked energy, under any circumstance, cannot be sold to third parties.

The proposed procedure provides that, under GEOA, consumers desirous of availing banking facility shall first arrange connectivity from PSPCL transmission licensee, then obtain permission for open access from the nodal agency, and submit the application at least one month in advance of the date on which banking or carry-forward/carry-back of energy is intended to commence, or along with their open access application. Once approved, they have to execute a tripartite agreement between the consumer of GEOA, PSPCL, and transmission licensee valid for the period of open access permission unless extended by mutual consent. Failure to do so may result in termination of the agreement and lapsing of banked energy.

The draft requires, financially, a banking charge deduction of 10 percent of the energy banked (in kind), although it allows flexibility to PSERC to adopt a monetary charge mechanism in due course. ) GEOA consumers shall continue to pay standard tariffs and all open access charges applicable on transmission, wheeling, standby, cross-subsidy and any surcharges or fees as relevant.

On the carry-forward of surplus energy, banked energy can be carried forward monthly but only up to 30 percent of the consumer’s monthly drawl from PSPCL. Anything in excess is considered as “dumped energy” and is not allowed to be carried forward. Drawl of banked energy is not allowed during paddy season, i.e., from June 1 to September 30 and during peak-load hours as notified by PSERC. Any banked energy that remains unutilized at the end of the financial year will automatically lapse, though lapsed units may be eligible for renewable energy certificates (RECs) where applicable.

The draft also stipulates strict metering and monitoring protocols: both the generator and the GEOA consumer have to install ABT-compliant energy meters, accuracy class 0.2S, recording data in 15-minute blocks, synchronized via GPS, and integrated into an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system for real-time communication with the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC).  Until full integration of AMR, data has to be submitted on a monthly basis through manual submission. Tampering or non-compliance could lead to the withdrawal of banking privileges and forfeiture of accumulated banked energy. Finally, it keeps a clear hierarchy in the use of energy: first is real-time renewable energy drawn from the generator; if the demand surpasses that supply, then banked energy is utilized; after that comes any non-green open access power; and finally, any supply from PSPCL.